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Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Teachings of Buddha Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Introduction The sixth century B.C. is considered a wonderful century in history. During 6th century B.C. , Great thinkers preached their ideas: Gautam Buddha Mahavira Heraclitus Zoroaster Confucius Lao Tse In India, the heterodox sects started to stand against the orthodox religion dominated by rites and rituals. Among them the most successful were Jainism and Buddhism whose impact on the Indian society was remarkable. Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Causes for the Rise of Jainism and Buddhism The primary cause for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism was the religious unrest in India in the 6th century B.C. The complex rituals and sacrifices advocated in the Later Vedic period were not acceptable to the common people. The sacrificial ceremonies were also found to be too expensive. The superstitious beliefs and mantras confused the people. The teachings of Upanishads, an alternative to the system of sacrifices, were highly philosophical in nature and therefore not easily understood by all. Therefore, what was needed in the larger interests of the people was a simple, short and intelligible way to salvation for all people in their own language. This need was fulfilled by the teachings of Buddha and Mahavira. Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Causes for the Rise of Jainism and Buddhism Other than the religious factor, social and economic factors also contributed to the rise of these two religions. The rigid caste system prevalent in India generated tensions in the society. Higher classes enjoyed certain privileges which were denied to the lower classes. Also, the Kshatriyas had resented the domination of the priestly class. It should also to be noted that both Buddha and Mahavira belonged to Kshatriya origin. The growth of trade led to the improvement in the economic conditions of the Vaishyas. As a result, they wanted to enhance their social status but the orthodox Varna system did not allow this. Therefore, they began to extend support to Buddhism and Jainism. It was this merchant class that extended the chief support to these new religions. Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Jainism Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Jainism Jainism doesn't have a single founder. The truth has been revealed at different times by a Tirthankara. Tirthankara means a teacher who shows the way. Other religions call such a person a 'prophet'. In what Jains call the 'present age' there have been 24 tirthankaras - although there is little evidence for the existence of most of these. The first tirthankara was Rishabhanatha and 24th was Mahavira. A Tirthankar is not an incarnation of the God. He is an ordinary soul that is born as a human and attains the states of a Tirthankar as a result of intense practices of penance, equanimity and meditation. Tirthankar is the ultimate pure developed state of the soul. Each new tirthankara preaches the same basic Jain philosophy, but they give the Jain way of life subtly different forms in order to suit the age and the culture in which they teach. Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Life of Vardhamana Mahavira (539- 467 B.C.) Vardhamana Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara of the Jain tradition. He was born at Kundagrama near Vaisali to Kshatriya parents Siddhartha and Trisala. He married Yasoda and gave birth to a daughter. At the age of thirty he became an ascetic and wandered for twelve years. In the 13th year of his penance, he attained the highest spiritual knowledge called Kevala Gnana. Thereafter, he was called Mahavira and Jina. His followers were called Jains and his religion Jainism. He preached his doctrines for 30 years and died at the age of 72 at Pava near Rajagriha. Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Life of Vardhamana Mahavira (539- 467 B.C.) Vardhamana Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara of the Jain tradition. He was born at Kundagrama near Vaisali to Kshatriya parents Siddhartha and Trisala. He married Yasoda and gave birth to a daughter. At the age of thirty he became an ascetic and wandered for twelve years. In the 13th year of his penance, he attained the highest spiritual knowledge called Kevala Gnana. Thereafter, he was called Mahavira and Jina. His followers were called Jains and his religion Jainism. He preached his doctrines for 30 years and died at the age of 72 at Pava near Rajagriha. Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Teachings of Mahavira The three principles of Jainism, also known as Triratnas (three gems) are: right faith right knowledge right conduct Right faith is the belief in the teachings and wisdom of Mahavira. Right Knowledge is the acceptance of the theory that there is no God and that the world has been existing without a creator and that all objects possess a soul. Right conduct refers to the observance of the five great vows. They are: not to injure life not to lie not to steal not to acquire property not to lead immoral life. Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Teachings of Mahavira Both the clergy and laymen had to strictly follow the doctrine of ahimsa. Mahavira regarded all objects, both animate and inanimate, have souls and various degrees of consciousness. They possess life and feel pain when they are injured. Mahavira rejected the authority of the Vedas and objected to the Vedic rituals. He advocated a very holy and ethical code of life. Even the practice of agriculture was considered sinful as it causes injury to the earth, worms and animals. Similarly the doctrine of asceticism and renunciation was also carried to extreme lengths by the practice of starvation, nudity and other forms of self-torture. Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Spread of Jainism Mahavira organised the Sangha to spread his teachings. He admitted both men and women in the Sangha, which consisted of both monks and lay followers. The rapid spread of Jainism was due to the dedicated work of the members of the Sangha. It spread rapidly in Western India and Karnataka. Chandragupta Maurya, Kharavela of Kalinga and the royal dynasties of South India such as the Gangas, the Kadambas, the Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas patronized Jainism. Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Spread of Jainism • By the end of the fourth century B.C., there was a serious famine in the Ganges valley. • Many Jain monks led by Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta Maurya came to Sravana Belgola in Karnataka. • Those who stayed back in north India were led by a monk named Sthulabahu who changed the code of conduct for the monks. • This led to the division of Jainism into two sects: i. Svetambaras (whiteclad lead by Sthulabahu) ii. Digambaras (Sky-clad lead by Bhadrabahu). The first Jain Council was convened at Pataliputra by Sthulabahu, the leader of the Digambaras, in the beginning of the 3rd century B.C. The second Jain Council was held at Valabhi in 5th century A.D. The final compilation of Jain literature called Twelve Angas was completed in this council. Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Buddhism Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Life of Gautama Buddha (567- 487 B.C.) • Gautama or Siddhartha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in 567 B.C. in Lumbini Garden near Kapilavastu. • His father was Suddodhana of the Sakya clan and mother Mayadevi. • As his mother died at child birth, he was brought up by his aunt Prajapati Gautami. • At the age of sixteen he married Yasodhara and gave birth to a son, Rahul. • The sight of below took him away from worldly life: an old man a diseased man a corpse an ascetic Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Life of Gautama Buddha (567- 487 B.C.) • He left home at the age of twenty nine in search of Truth. • He wandered for seven years and met several teachers but could not get enlightenment. • At last, he sat under a bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya and did intense penance, after which he got Enlightenment (Nirvana) at the age of thirty five. • Since then he became known as the Buddha or ‘the Enlightened One’. • He delivered his first sermon at Sarnath near Benares and for the next forty five years he led the life of a preacher. • He died at the age of eighty at Kusinagara. Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Life of Gautama Buddha (567- 487 B.C.) The most important disciples of Buddha were: Sariputta Moggallanna Ananda Kassapa Upali • Kings like Prasenajit of Kosala and Bimbisara and Ajatasatru of Magadha accepted his doctrines and became his disciples. • Buddha in his lifetime spread his message far and wide in north India and visited places like Benaras, Rajagriha, Sravasti, Vaisali, Nalanda, Pataligrama. • It should be noted that he did not involve himself in fruitless controversies regarding metaphysical questions like god, soul, karma, rebirth, etc., and concerned himself with the practical problems confronting man. Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Teachings of Buddha The Four Noble Truths of Buddha are: The world is full of suffering. The cause of suffering is desire. If desires are get rid off, suffering can be removed. This can be done by following the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path consists of: Right view Right resolve Right speech Right conduct Right livelihood Right effort Right mindfulness Right concentration Chapter 4: Jainism & Buddhism Teachings of Buddha Buddha neither accepts god nor rejects the existence of god. He laid great emphasis on the law of karma. He argued that the condition of man in this life depends upon his own deeds. He taught that the soul does not exist. However, he emphasized Ahimsa. By his love for human beings and all living creatures, he endeared himself to all. Even under the gravest provocation he did not show the least anger or hatred and instead conquered everyone by his love and compassion.
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